meitzler



May 30, 1933. c. R. MEITZLER ADJUSTABLE SEAT STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 16, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CarZas/Z/Fel/af y 30, 1933- c. R. MIEITZLER 1,911,636

. ADJUSTABLE SEAT STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 16, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imun M L-w"! Ev 5 INVENTOR Y gag/W525 K %z; A TORNEY Patented May 30, 1933 Urren STATES Parser CHARLES R. MEITZLEB, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OSCAR H. FIEPER AND ONE-HALF TO ALPHONSE F. PIEPER, F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK ADJUSTABLE SEAT STRUCTURE Application filed October 16, 1930.

The present invention relates to an improved seat of the adjustable type and has for its objectto provide in a seat of this class improved means by which the seat proper may be quickly and conveniently adjusted to different elevations.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tiltable seat permitting the user while occupying the seat to readily shift it from one position to another by a swinging or rocking movement in the desired direction, and also to provide locking means for holding the seat in adjusted position.

A. further object of the invention is to provide improved supporting means for the seat, together with control means permitting the operator by the use of one hand to both release and adjust the supporting means to position the seat at the desired elevation without releasing his hold on the parts until both operations are completed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved base structure upon which the seat proper is arranged for vertical adjustment.

A still further object of the invention is to pro ide an adjustable seat which is simple in construction, convenient to operate and one which is efficient in service and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features be ing pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a part sectional elevation illustrating the construction b which the seat y proper 15 supported and rendered adjustable upon the base; i

Fi 3 1s a somewhat simllar view showin C b the manner of depressing the operating sleeve for releasing the rotary supporting element which latter is arranged for cooperation with the superimposed abutments of the seat post or standard;

Serial No. 489,118.

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the rotary supporting element;

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective, view of the cam member for rocking the rotary supporting element to release position;

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a combined spring holder and guide for the cam element shown in Fig. 5;

7 is an enlarged part-sectional elevation showing the normal relationship of the cooperating parts for supporting the seat proper at different elevations;

1 F ig. 8 is a somewhat similar view showing tne rotary supporting element rocked out of engagement with the supporting abutments on the tubular standard;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the relationship of the parts illustrated in Figs. l to 6 inclusive when in normal position within the seat supporting standard;

Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken on line 10a10a of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on line l1a-11a of 7;

Fig. 12 is a view in elevation showing the normal position of the parts carred by the lower end of the seat supporting shaft including the rotary supporting element and the cam element for releasing the same;

Fig. 13 is a similar elevation in which the parts are viewed from the right of Fig. 12;-

means for the springs which hold the seat standard in upright position;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation illustrating a portion of the ball and socket joint by which the seat standard is supported. for a tilting moverfientuponthe base proper, and 1 plate shown in Fig. 2 re- 7 Fig. 18 is a sectional plan taken on line 18a18a of Fig. 3.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The seat shown in the drawings which illustrates by way of example one embodiment of the invention is in the form of a stool, although it will be understood that the principles of the invention may be readily applied to other types of seats as well. While the present seat is one which can be used under varying conditions of service it is particularly advantageous for use by physicians, dentists, and others in making various anatomical examinations and operations from time to time, since it permits the operator to quickly and readily shift his position relative to the patient with but little effort and without the use of the hands, except when it becomes necessary to elevate or lowable or adjustable section has a ball and socket connection with the fixed or stationary portion of the base whereby the seat can easily be made to respond to a rocking movement by the operator who can quickly change the position of the seat with respect to the patient by shifting his weight in one direction or another. The ball shaped member 14 on the lower end of the column is disposed within a socket comprising the relatively adjustable upper and lower portions 15 and 16 of the base. The upper socket member 15 is made adjustable with respect to the ball 1d preferably by the use of screw bolts 17 extending upwardly through the spring housing members 18 depending from the upper wall 10a of the base section the bolts being threaded within downwardly extending boss-like members 19 projecting within the housings, said members being of less diameter than the openings formed in the housings to permit lateral shifting of the upper socket member whereby to properly center it with respect to the axis of the column; Springs 20 surround the bolts within the housing and tend at all times to urge the socket member 15 upwardly against the resistance ofiered by the heads of the bolts 17. The leveling and vertical adjustments required to properly position the socket member 15 with respect to the ball can be effected by adjusting the different bolts 17 to the extent necessary when assembling the parts or at any time thereafter. The socket member 15 can thus be so adjusted as to permit the ball to move freely within the socket with a minimum amount of friction 2133C wear on the parts. This method of effecting relative adjustment between the socket memhers is simple and efiicient and makes it possible to obtain a more or less delicat adjustment. The base 10 is closed at its bottom by a plate 21 secured thereto by a plurality of screws 21a, the plate serving to protect the parts within the base and being spaced from the extreme bottom portion of the base as shown in Fig. 2.

Means is provided for returning the standard or column 11 from tilted to an upright position when released by the operator. For this purpose the ball is provided with a depending portion 22 which extends through an opening in a horizontally disposed plate member 23 having a. series of openings 24 therein for receiving the hook-shaped ends 25 of a plurality of springs 26 arranged as best shown in Figs. 15 and 16. In the outer ends of the springs are secured nuts 27 which are groowcl shown to receive the coils of the springs, the latter being expanded to receive the nuts whereby the nuts are gripped by the outer end coils of the springs and firmly held position. Threaded within the nuts are the adjusting screws 28 adapt-ed for properly tensioning the springs, said screws extending through the peripheral wall of a ring shaped support 29 positioned within the base 10 and secured upon lugs 30 thereon by means of screws 31 as shown in Figs. 2 and 15. The heads of the screws 28 are provided with beveled shoulders 32 engaging the beveled seats 33 formed in the peripheral wall of the ring 29 as best shown in Fi 16. The seat has a different taper from bl the beveled portion of the bolt head whereby to take care of the swinging or rocking movements of the bolts caused by the tilting movements of the seatstandard under normal service conditions. By adjusting the. bolts to place each spring under proper tension the standard or column 11 will normally be held substantially in an upright or vertical position upon the base member 16, and will be returned to said position when rocked therefrom in any direction and released by the occupant of the seat. The bolts 28 when once properly adjusted are held against turning each by a pin 26a having a rounded head 27a thereon arranged to lie within a recessed portion of the head of the bolt as shown in Fig. 16. The recess is so shaped as to permit the bolt to be readily turned by the use of a wrench, but t 1e friction between the head of the pin and that of the bolt is sufiicient to prevent accidental unscrewing of the bolt under all service conditions.

The seat carrying shaft 13 extends within the tubular standard 11 and has its lower extremity reduced at 34 to receive a supporting or holding element 35 which is mounted for a rotary or rocking movement upon said reduced portion and provided preferably with two sets of teeth or lugs 36 disposed opposite each other and arranged in the normal position of the parts for engagement with a. plurality of superimposed abutments 3'7 carried by semi-circular supporting strips or members 38 extending longitudinally within the standard and preferably conforming to the curvature of the walls thereof as shown in Figs. and 11. lVhile it is preferred to form the abutments 37 on separate supporting strips rather than integrally with the standard, it will be understood that any suitable or preferred method may be employed for mounting or securing the abutments within the standard fo the purpose of supporting the seat carrying shaft. By mounting the strips within the standard with their adjacent edge portions in spaced relation as shown in Fig. 10, guideways 39 are formed between the strips for the reception the lugs 36 when the supporting element is rotated to the release position shown'in Fig. 11, in which position the seat supporting shaft 13 is freed for movement up and down within the standard to permit the seat to be adjusted to the desired height. The rotary support ing element 35 is held against longitudinal movement in one direction by a washer 40 on the shaft portion 34, which issupported by a nu" 41 threaded on said shaft portion and locked against turning by a cotter pin 42. Upward displacement of said rotary supporting or holding member is prevented by a recessed or sleeve like member 43 though which the shaft portion 34 extends, said member being rigidly secured upon said shaft portion in any suitable manner. A spring 44 is coiled about the shaft portion 34 within the recessed portion of the member 43, the upper end of the spring being suitably anchored in an opening 434;. formed in said member, said spring having its lower end secured within an opening 35a formed in the rotary supporting element as shown in Fig. 9. The spring is properly tensioned for the purpose of returning the supporting element 35 to normal position, following release thereof by an actuating element 45 so that the lugs 36 of the supporting element may rocngage the abutments 37 within the standard 11. The actuating or release element 45 surrounds the lower end of the shaft 13 and is slidably disposed between the semicircular strips 38 for movement longitudinally of the shaft. The actuating element is held against rotation by the oppositely projecting portions 46 of member 43 which project into slots 47 in said element and which also serve to limit downward movement of the latter as shownin Fig; 14. The actuating element is provided adjacent its lower end with oppositely positioned cams 48 which, when said element is moved downwardly from the normal position shown in Fig. 13, will through engagement with the uppermost lugs 36 on the supporting element 35 cause the latter to rotate whereby to move the lugs out ofengagement with the abutments 37 and into the guideways 39 to free said supporting shaft for an up and down sliding movement within the standard in order to permit the seat to be raised and lowered. Upon release of the operating means for the actuating element, presently tobe described, a spring 49 within said element serves to return the latter from the releasing position shown in Fig. 14 to the normal position shown in Fig. 13, at which time the spring 44 will rotate the holding element 35 to cause the lugs 36 to swing back into engagement with the abutments 37 on the supporting strips 38, or in other words, to the positions shown in Figs. 7 and 13. r

The operating means for moving the actuating element downwardly within the column to effect release of the supporting element 35 preferably comprises a tubularmember 50 sleeved on the shaft 13 and hav ing its lower end resting loosely on the actu ating or cam element 45 and being free to rotate relative thereto. The tubular operating member extends upwardly through the standard and has at its upper extremity a disk 51 thereon disposed adjacent and spaced from a circular boss 52 into which the shaft 13 projects, the boss extending downwardly from a plate member 53 to which the seat cushion or pad is secured. The end of the shaft 'which projects within the socket formed within the boss is grooved at 54 to receive the reduced end of a set screw'55 threaded within the boss and serving to prevent removal of the seat from the shaft while permitting it to rotate thereon. Interposed between the disk 51 and the boss 52 is an operating member 56 which upon being tilted to the position shown in Fig. 3 cooperates with the boss and disk 51 to depress the operating tube 50 for the purpose of lowering the actuating cam element 45 whereby the cams 48 thereon will engage the uppermost lugs 36 of the supporting element 35 to rock or rotate the latter so that the lugs will be disengaged from the abutments 37 to permit the seat to be raised or lowered as the occasion demands. The operating member is preferably in the form of a wheel having a rim connected with a hub 56w by spokes 55a, the rim being disposed some what inwardly of the edge or peripheral portion of the seat for convenience in operation. With this arrangement of the parts the operator can tilt the wheel to release the rotary supporting element 35 merely by placing his thumb on top of the seat pad and his fingers beneath the rim of the wheel and exerting upward pressure on the latter to shift it to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this operation, one point on the boss 52 serves as a fulcrum about which the wheel or operating member swings to displace through engagement with the disk 51 the tubular member 50 which in turn displaces member 45 to cause downward movement of the cam portions 48 thereon which engage the upper lugs of the rotary member 35 to swing the latter to the release position shown in Figs. 8 and 11. As soon as the operator releases member 56, spring 49 will elevate the actuating element 45 and ti e tubular operating member 50 to thenormal position shown in Fig. 2, and during this time the spring 44 will rotate the supporting member 35 back to normal position. The operating wheel 56 is preferably made free to rotate about the axis of the shaft 13 and upon the disk 51. The wheel serves as a means by which to lift the seat and the parts depending therefrom when the rotary supporting member 35 has been moved to release position. The seat proper together with the shaft 13 and parts thereon constitute a unit which upon tilting the wheel to the position shown in Fig. 3 can be adjusted to the desired height and released for support by the rotary element 35. Furthermore, the seat unit can, upon detachment of the screw cap 50a on the standard, be removed from the base unit which includes the standard and the base member 12.

A. washer 57 is interposed between the disk 51 and the hub of the wheel and a similar washer 58 is positioned between the boss 52 and the hub of the wheel, said washers being formed of suitable material such,

for example, as relatively hard fiber which will resist wear and at the same time render theoperation of the parts noiseless.

A hardened steel ball 59 is carried by the upper extremity of the shaft 13 and forms a support for the seat on which the latter is free to rotate.

A coil spring 60 is positioned within the standard 11 beneath the washer 40 on the shaft 13 to serve as cushioning means in case the seat is lowered or dropped when the supporting element 35 is in released posh tion.

A second spring 61 surrounds the tubular operating sleeve 50 and normally rests on the releasing element 45, said spring operating as a cushioning means when the seat is lifted to its highest position, the spring then engaging the detachable cap 500 threaded on the upper end of the standard 11 through which the shaft 13 extends.

Locking means is provided for holding the seat supporting column in the various positions to which it may be swung by the operator when using the stool. The locking of the column in said positions is preferably effected by tilting the socket member 15 to afford a binding action between it and the ball shaped element 14. This is done by the use of an adjustable screw 62extending through and free to rotate in the socket member 15, the lower end of the screw threadedly engaging the horizontal wall portion 1060 of the base 10 as shown in Fig. 17. Extending from the head of the screw in opposite directions are the operating arms 63 having on their outer ends enlarged portions 64 of any preferred shape, said portions being so positioned that the occupant of the stool may, by the use of the feet, conveniently engage the same to effect a tightening or loosening of the screw whereby to ary the position of the socket member according to whether it is desired to release or lock the seatsupporting column in adjusted position. By turning the screw in one direction the socket member 15 can be slightly tilted to afford a binding action between it and the ballshaped member 14 which will be suiiicient to hold the seat supporting column in the desired position. i l hen it is necessary to move the locking means to release posit-ion to permit the springs 20 to return the socket member 15 to normal position the operator by the use of the foot will engage one of the operating portions 64 of the locking screw to effect a slight rotation of the latter at which time the seat supporting column will be freed for a winging movement upon the baseto any desired position either by the operator or by thesprings 26.

I claim:

1. In a seat structure, a seat base, a plurality of superimposed abutments on the base, and a seat unit carried by the base comprising a seat, a supporting element therefor adjustable vertically upon the base, a rotary holding member journaled upon said element for rotation about a vertical axis and arranged for cooperation with the abutments to support the unit at different elevations, release means on the unit movable longitudinally of the supporting element for rotating said holding member to move it from engagement with the abutments, and means for returning it to holdin position upon the abutments upon freeing the release means when the unit has been adjusted to the desired position.

2. In a seat supporting structure, a base having a column extending upwardly therefrom, a plurality of superimposed abutments located on the wall of the column, a seat supporting shaft arranged for vertical movement within the column, a supporting element for the shaft having a rotary movement thereon to and from engagement with said abutments, said element when in release position permitting the shaft to be raised and lowered within the column, a cam movable longitudinally of the shaft to engage and effect rotation of said supporting element to release position, a sleeve surrounding the shaft and movable longitudinally thereof to effect operation of the cam, operating means for the sleeve located above the column, means for returning the cam and sleeve to normal position upon release of the operating means, and means for returning said rotary supporting element into position to engage and be supported by one or more of the abutments upon release of the operating means.

3. In a seat structure, a tubular column having a supporting base, a plurality of abutments formed on the column at different elevations, a unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column and for withdrawal therefrom, said unit comprising a seat having a depending part extending within the column, said unit including a holding element rotatable upon said part about a vertical axis and cooperating with one or more of the abutments when in normal holding position to support said part, said unit also including operating means movable longitudinally of said depending part for rotating said holding element from normal to release position, and means within the column forming a part of the unit and operative to return said element to normal holding position upon release of said operating means, said unit being detachable from the column by moving it longitudinally thereof.

4. In a seat structure, a tubular column having supporting base, a plurality of superimposed abutments upon the column, a seat unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column comprising a seat having a depending shaft extending vertically within the column, a holding element mounted within the column upon the shaft for rotation about the axis of the shaft to and from engagement with the abutments arranged to support said unit in different elevated positions, a sleeve surrounding the shaft within the column and having a part for rotating the holding element from engagement with the abutments, operating means for moving the sleeve from normal to operating position, means for returning the rotary holding element to normal holding position when released, and means for returning the sleeve to normal position.

5. In a seat structure, a recessed column having a plurality of superimposed abutments formed on the wall thereof, a seat unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column comprising a seat having a depending support movable vertically within the column, a rotary holding element for said support rotatable thereon about a vertical axis and normally engaging one or more of said abutments and arranged for rotation to release position to permit of vertical adjustment of said seat unit, a cam movable vertically within the column to shift said rotary element to release position, means for moving the cam to effect operation of said rotary element, and means for returning therotary element to normal position upon release of thecam.

6. In a seat structure, a recessed column having a plurality of superimposedabutments formed on the Wall thereof, a seat unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column comprising a seat having a depending support extending within the column, a holding element for said unit mounted for rotation upon the support to and from engagement with said abutments, a member slidably mounted within the column having cam means thereon operative to engage and shift said holding element to release position, spring means adapted to be tensioned by the movement of said rotary element to release position, and operating means for moving said slidably mounted member to move said cam means, said spring means operable to return the rotary holding element to normal holding engagement with one ormore of the abutments upon release of said operating means.

7. In a seat structure, a recessed column having a plurality of superimposed abutments formed on the wall thereof, a seat unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column comprising a seat having a depending support extending within the column, a holding element for said unit mounted for rotation upon the support to and from engagement with said abutments, a member slidably mounted within the column having a cam thereon arranged to engage and rotate said holding element to release position, a device fixed on the sup port forming a guide for holding said slidably mounted member against rotation, operating means for said slidably mounted member, and means for returning the holding element to normal holding position upon release of said operating means.

8. In a seat structure, a recessed column having a plurality of superimposed abutments formed on the wall thereof, a seat unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column comprising a seat having a depending support extending within the column, a holding element for said unit mounted for rotation upon the support to and from engagement with said abutments, a member slidably mounted within the iGO column having a part thereon arranged to engage and rotate said holding element to release position, a device fixed on the support forming a guide for said slidably mounted member, operating means for said slidably mounted men1ber,'and a spring for returning said rotary holding element to normal holding position upon release of said operating means, said spring being coiled upon said support and having one end connected with said guide and the other with said rotary holding element.

7 9. In a seat structure, a tubular column having a plurality of superimposed abutments formed on the wall thereof, a seat unit mounted for adjustment vertically upon the column comprising a seat having a depending shaft extending within the column, a holding element mounted upon the shaft for rotation about the axis thereof and normally engaging one or more of said abutments, a sleeve slidably mounted within the column and having a cam for engaging and rotating the holding element to release position, a member fixed on the shaft and having a portion engaging in a slot formed in the sleeve to hold the sleeve against rotation, spring means interposed between said member and said rotary holding element for returning the latter to holding position upon return of the sleeve and cam to normal position, means for moving the sleeve and cam to effect release .of said holding element, and means for returning the sleeve'and cam to normal inoperative position.

10. In a seat structure, a seat base including a tubular column having superimposed abutments on the wall thereof, a seat having a depending supporting member extending within the column, releasable holding means for said member arranged for rotation with the column about the axis thereof and for cooperation with the abutments on the column to support said member at different elevated positions, an operating device for releasing said holding means movable longitudinally within and projecting from the upper end of the column, and a unitary wheel-like member interposed between the upper end of said operating device and a portion of the seat and having a centrally disposed portion one side of which engages said operating device and the other of which engages said seat portion, said wheel-like member being tiltable to various positions between said seat portion and said operating device whereby to depress the latter to effect release of said holding means.

11. In a seat structure, a seat base including a supporting column, a seat element having a depending boss thereon, a supporting shaft for the seat depending from the boss and extending within the column, a plur rality of superimposed abutments on the wall of the column releasable holding means rotatable upon and about the axis of the shaft to v and from engagement with the abutments to support the shaft at different elevated positions upon the column, operating means movable longitudinally of the column for releasing said holding means, said operating means extending above the column, and a unitary wheel-like element located beneath the bottom side of the seat and having a rim-like portion and also a central portion interposed between said operating means and the boss on the seat element, said wheel-like element being manually tiltable upon said boss by employing the fingers to engage any portion of the rim of said element whereby to tilt it in various directions to depress said operating means.

12. In a seat structure, a tubular column having a plurality of superimposed abutments on the wall thereof, and a seat unit comprising a seat having a boss at the lower side thereof, a shaft for supporting the seat extending within the column, holding means for the shaft engaging one or more of the abutments and rotatable about the axis of the shaft to release position, means for releasing said holding means including an actuating member extending above and movable longitudinally within the column said actuating member terminating adjacent said boss in spaced relation thereto, and a unitary wheel-like element located beneath the seat provided with a rim-like portion and having a central portion interposed between said boss and the upper end of said actuating member, said wheel-like element being manually tiltable upon said boss in various directions by employing the fingers to exert pressure upon the rim of said wheel-like element to effect operation of said actuating member.

13. In a seat structure, a tubular support-' from supporting engagement with said abutments whereby to release the unit for movement longitudinally of the column.

14. In a seat structure, a tubular supporting column having spaced abutments formed on its inner wall, a unit mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the column and for withdrawal therefrom, said unit comprising a seat carrying shaft extending Within the column, said shaft having a supporting element rotatable thereon to and from engagement with said abutments about an axis extending longitudinally of the column, said unit also including an actuating element movable longitudinally within the column and operable from the exterior thereof to rotate the supporting element from supporting engagement with said abutments whereby to release the unit for movement longitudinally of the column, and means Within the column operating automatically upon release of said actuating element to return the supporting element into supporting engagement With said abutments.

15. In a seat structure, a tubular supporting column having spaced abutments on its inner wall, a unit mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the column and for withdrawal therefrom, said unit comprising a seat carrying shaft extending Within the column, said shaft having a supporting element rotatable thereon to and from engagement with said abutments about an axis extending longitudinally of the column, said unit also including an actuating sleeve surrounding the shaft and movable longitudinally thereof to rotate the supporting element from supporting engagement with said abutments to release the unit for movement longitudinally of the column and a spring surrounding the shaft within the column and operative to return the supporting element into supporting engagement with said abutments upon release of the actuating sleeve.

CHARLES R. MEITZLER. 

